Ramadan in Bahrain

Here is information about Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, including dates, the history of the holiday, the practice of fasting, and more.

Ramadan..

is a time to practice self-restraint; a time to cleanse the body and soul from impurities and re-focus one's self on the worship of God. The Holy Month is a great time to get involved with local Bahraini traditions and broaden your understanding of Islamic culture. Many hotels host nightly Iftar and Suhour banquets – attend at least one during this Islamic festival. Try the local dishes such as Harees, stuffed dates and laban.

Iftar

Iftar, refers to the evening meal when Muslims break their fast during the Islamic month of Ramadan. Iftar is one of the religious observances of Ramadan and is often done as a community, with people gathering to break their fast together. Iftar is done right after Maghrib (sunset 6.35pm) time. Traditionally, a date is the first thing to be consumed when the fast is broken.

Suhour

Suhor also called Sehur, Sehri, Sahari and Sahur in other languages, is an Islamic term referring to the meal consumed early in the morning by Muslims before fasting.

During Ramadan, every Iftar symbolises the benevolence of God. After each day of fasting, people gather and share their food with the heightened feelings of compassion, thankfulness to God's blessings and strong sense of oneness. Worshippers throng into mosques to perform additional prayers called taraweeh, read the Holy Qur’an and attend Ramadan lectures and sermons. At the end of Ramadan, before Eid Al-Fitr, Muslims pay Zakat Al Fitr, a pious charity, to the needy so they can receive Eid Al Fitr with joy & happiness

Eid Al-Fitr

The celebration of Eid Al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan. Eid is an Arabic word meaning "festivity", while Fiá¹­r means "breaking the fast". The holiday celebrates the conclusion of the 29 or 30 days of dawn-to-sunset fasting during the entire month of Ramadan. This is a day where Muslims around the world try to show a common goal of unity.

The first Day of Eid starts with Eid prayers early in the morning where Muslims gather and exchange greetings & wishes of happy Eid “Eid Mubarak” with each other. Non-Muslims can watch Eid Prayers at the mosques (e.g. AlFateh Mosque) As a Bahraini tradition during Eid, families have a traditional breakfast meal together - Balalet - which is a traditional Bahraini dish. By noon time families and friends gather for lunch (Ghozi) & adults give money (ranges from 100 fils to more than BD20) for children in celebration of Eid.

Different types of snacks will be served during the day to the family members, such as the traditional deserts (Halwa, Zalabya), fresh fruits, traditional nuts (matay), and different kinds of beverages (Arabic tea and coffee, juices, and water).

Before lunch or after four in the afternoon, men gather in popular Majalis, located in different neighborhoods, to exchange greetings as well. The days of Eid will be declared a national holiday.

♦Do drink, eat and smoke in the privacy of your home, hotel room or office. If you work in a shared or open plan office simply designate a room where the door can be closed. The point here is to be respectful to those colleagues that are fasting.

♦Do avoid driving close to sunset. It can be hazardous during this time as the roads fill with people rushing to break the fast at Iftar celebrations.

♦Do dress appropriately. Men and women are expected to dress in an appropriate manner, not showing too much skin and making sure hemlines and necklines are modest. So watch before you step out.

♦Do check timings. Many businesses, restaurants and recreational facilities will change their timings during Ramadan, so to avoid disappointment do check before you head-off. Ministries & governmental entities open from 8am to 2pm, Offices and companies are usually opened from 9 am to 3pm, Supermarkets remain open as usually from 8/9am to 12am, Parks, cinemas and other public places open after dusk and remain open until late at night. Many restaurants within international hotel are open during the day for dinning in.